Detroit Metro Airport to install smart parking management system to streamline parking for millions

As more travellers than ever are taking to the skies, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), managed by the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) plans to implement a Park Assist Solution, aiming to elevate parking efficiency and streamline operations.

“At Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, we operate one of the largest parking areas in the world totalling more than 18,000 on-airport spaces,” said Chad Newton, Wayne County Airport Authority CEO. “We trust our customers will experience the benefits of the user-friendly (Find Your Car) app helping them to find available spaces and their parked vehicles upon return. This is one more innovative step we are taking to improve the passenger experience at DTW.”

The Park Assist Solution represents a collaborative effort to enhance the passenger experience and streamline DTW parking operations.

The Park Assist Solution, an advanced Automated Parking Guidance System (APGS), is set to be installed across the McNamara Parking Garage, the Big Blue Deck, and nearby surface lots, covering a total of 18,000 monitored spaces. This innovative smart parking system aims to streamline the parking experience for travellers, minimise traffic congestion in and around the facilities, and boost operational efficiency. By cutting the time needed to find an available spot by up to 63%, the system ensures a smoother, stress-free start to travellers’ journeys, even during peak holiday seasons.

At the heart of DTW’s new parking guidance system is the camera-based M5 smart sensor, a smart parking solution that will provide operators with real-time HD streaming video 24/7. Each M5 sensor is outfitted with two CMOS digital cameras, capable of monitoring up to six parking spaces (three on each side) from above the driving lane. With an industry-leading accuracy rate exceeding 99%, the M5 sensor also features a customisable full-spectrum RGB LED indicator. This advanced lighting system offers thousands of colour options to indicate parking availability, special sections, and more, ensuring clear communication for drivers seeking an available parking space quickly.

Installation is expected to be completed in two phases between 2025 and 2026.